Aliena was still replaying the moment Sebastian had passed her in the corridor, his shoulder brushing the air beside her, his gaze fixed forward as though she were nothing more than stone and shadow when the palace bells rang.
They were not gentle bells.
They were the kind that announced war councils, royal decrees, and things that could not be ignored even if one desperately wished to
The sound reverberated through the walls, the floor, her bones.
Servants froze where they stood. Conversations died mid-breath.
Then came the voice.
Clear. Commanding. Enchanted to reach every corner of the palace.
"Attention. All participants and observers are to proceed to the palace grounds. Royal training will commence shortly."
Aliena stopped walking so abruptly that someone nearly collided with her from behind.
"Training…" she murmured.
